Decision made on the future of a talent ESPN tried to steal away from its biggest rival

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With the end of ESPN’s “Mike and Mike” comes a new opportunity for Mike Greenberg on a big-time morning show. With that, ESPN had reportedly been targeting Fox Sports star Charissa Thompson to fill the new co-host slot. That apparently won’t be happening, per SI.

“She has consistently said in previous interviews with SI that she feels a certain loyalty to the company given they first gave her an on-air chance. It is believed she will continue as the host of Fox NFL Kickoff, which airs at 11:00 AM ET and leads into Fox NFL Sunday.”

Sporting News’ earlier report on Sage Steele being a possibility

Steele could join Mike Greenberg on his new solo morning show that will air on ESPN, said sources.

The new “Greeny & Friends”-type show will be shot in New York. If ESPN is willing to break up the 17-year partnership between Greenberg and Golic, you better believe the Worldwide Leader in Sports is going to throw massive marketing support behind Greenberg’s new program.

That isn’t the only possibility, though, as McCarthy also floats that Steele could be assigned opposite Greenberg on ESPN2 in the same (or similar) time slot.

Steele also could slide into a morning “SportsCenter” anchor slot on whatever programming replaces the current “Mike & Mike in the Morning” on ESPN2. “Mike & Mike” will likely morph into a radio-only show with Trey Wingo teaming up with Golic in place of Greenberg.

Thompson worked for ESPN from 2011-2013, working on shows such as SportsNation and Numbers Never Lie.